If the Tampa Bay Buccaneers opt to select an edge rusher in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft, they could make a solid choice by picking a player likened to one of the league’s premier pass rushers.
According to ESPN NFL draft analyst Jordan Reid, UCLA defensive end Laiatu Latu has drawn comparisons to Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby in a recent analysis of top prospect comparisons. Latu is highly regarded for his pass-rushing skills, with mock drafts from ESPN, The Athletic, and PFF all projecting him as the Buccaneers’ potential pick at No. 26 overall.
Reid highlighted Latu’s exceptional pass-rush abilities, noting similarities in stature and playing style between Latu and Crosby, both standing at 6-5 and weighing around 255-259 pounds. He emphasized their diverse repertoire of moves, agility to maneuver around blockers, and relentless motor on the field.
Maxx Crosby’s journey to the NFL is marked by humble beginnings.
The Raiders drafted Crosby from Eastern Michigan with a fourth-round pick in the 2019 NFL draft, the sole college that offered him a scholarship. Hailing from Colleyville, Texas, Crosby immediately showcased his skills in his rookie year, recording 47 tackles, 10.0 sacks, and 4 forced fumbles.
Over the subsequent two seasons, Crosby continued to excel, earning three consecutive Pro Bowl selections and two NFL All-Pro Team nods by 2021. In that year, he topped the league with 82 quarterback hurries and 53 quarterback pressures. In March 2022, Crosby secured a substantial contract extension worth $98.8 million over four years, with $53 million guaranteed.
Following his lucrative deal, Crosby experienced the most productive stretch of his career, tallying 89 tackles and 12.5 sacks in 2022, and 90 tackles and 14.5 sacks in 2023.
Latu and Crosby had similar college statistics.
Apart from their nearly identical sizes, Crosby and Latu shared similar collegiate trajectories in terms of statistics and accolades. Each completed three full seasons before transitioning to the NFL, and their 40-yard dash times were remarkably close—Latu clocked in at 4.64 seconds while Crosby followed closely with 4.66 seconds.
During their college careers, Latu earned two All-Pac-12 selections, while Crosby secured two All-MAC selections. Crosby concluded his tenure with 20.0 sacks, while Latu boasted 23.5 sacks.
In ESPN’s positional rankings for the 2024 NFL draft, Reid, Mel Kiper Jr., and Matt Miller all placed Latu within their top three edge rushers.
